To Senate President Joaquin G. Adriano, Sen. Diego Songao

Buenas yan saludos. On behalf of our citizens with disabilities, their families and the man’amko, I am writing this letter of support for House Bill 14-318, “To Establish a CNMI Office Of Transit Authority within the Office of the Governor; and for other purposes.” This bill was introduced by Rep. Clyde K. Norita and recently passed by the House of Representatives.

This bill if passed by the Senate, is major step toward the advancement and reality of creating a system of transportation services for our citizens and visitors alike.

Moreover, this bill will certainly provide an avenue to support and sustain the already existing CNMI Para Transit System. I am referring to the Saipan, Rota and Tinian Call-a-Ride Transportation Services for CNMI citizens and visitors with disabilities and the man’amko. Initiated by the CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities through funds from the Community Development Block Grant and the CNMI Choice Program several years ago, hundreds of people with disabilities and the man’amko have since highly benefited and continued to be impacted tremendously as we see today. This is thanks to the generous support and commitments by the Pacific Development Incorporated (Saipan Call-a-Ride), Mr. & Mrs. Julian M. Calvo dba J&L Enterprise (Rota Call-a-Ride) and the Tinian Legislative Delegation (Tinian Call-a-Ride) for operating and managing the system. Today, our citizens with disabilities and the man’amko are able to find and keep their jobs, meet doctor’s appointment, fulfill medical treatment, visit friends and relatives, go to a park, church, school, and movie and go shopping. This service is made possible by a community partnerships, this is what inclusive community is all about.

Although these para transit systems exist and are serving each of our islands (call-a-ride) to qualified citizens with disabilities and the man’amko, there is no legal foundation establishing a system of transportation services capable of offering flexible route or fixed route transit (whichever is suitable to the island needs), standards or guidance, regulations and most of all guaranteed funding.

Yes, there may be already a mass transit system in our islands as one may see but each system operates differently and serves different clientele. For example, the free Airport-Hotel shuttle services only takes hotel guests to and from the hotel and back to the airport. The hotel-shopping center fixed route system limits its services to designated hotels and shopping centers only, taxi cabs and limousines are not readily accessible (although required when viewed in its entirety) for people with disabilities who use power wheelchairs or unable to transfer from their chair into the cab.

It is true, the CNMI continuous to be under economic crisis, revenue collections are down, funding priority goes to health, education and public safety, not to mention the fact that our populated islands are separated by water, and only accessible by either ferry or small plane. However, with creative financing, placing the right management team, careful/inclusive planning and meeting the intent of this bill, the CNMI can and should be able to create, operate and manage a sustainable and effective transportation system.

If passed by the Senate and signed by the governor, the Commonwealth Transit Office should work closely with the CNMI Transportation Team under the leadership of the CNMI Council on Developmental Disabilities and the State United We Ride Team under the leadership of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation with support from the CNMI and national community. The Legislative findings of this measure is very true and I will like to elaborate further on the necessity of such legislation critical toward a successful implementation of the bill if it becomes law:

O Attitudinal and Architectural Barriers. We must continue to aggressively advocate for the removal of attitudinal and architectural barriers through public education and awareness

– Public Transportation Funding. People with disabilities rely on accessible public transportation to a great extent. For true accessibility, adequate funding for public transportation is essential. Like education, there must be a guaranteed funding for public transportation from the CNMI government in addition to the available transportation grants and technical assistance resources from the Federal Transportation Administration and other organizations.

– Improved Pedestrian Rights of Way. People with disabilities have found that inaccessible rights-of-way are a major barrier to using transportation in community life, including accessible public transportation.

– Economic Development. Mass Transportation System that provides services to all people is an economical approach. It will bring in revenues from riderships and charter fees and in no doubt, it will create jobs.

– Human Rights. CNMI Citizens with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 have the right to a community support such as available and accessible transportation services.

Mr. President, Mr. Chairman this bill, if passed by the Senate and becomes law, will set the stage toward realizing sustainable financial support for our existing transportation providers and a legal foundation that will open opportunity to begin our journey toward a unified, inclusive and centralized planning and coordinated-comprehensive and flexible system of transportation equally beneficial for all citizens and visitors in the Commonwealth.

It is the CNMI’s desired goal that people with disabilities; their families and the man’amko have available, accessible, flexible, reliable transportation program and services of their choice. On behalf of our citizens with disabilities and the man’amko, I humbly urge you both and your colleagues to give this bill your highest priority and an expeditious passage.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment in favor of this bill. Lastly, I applaud the effort of Rep. Clyde Norita for introducing the bill as well as the House leadership and their colleagues who supported the passage of this bill. If I can be of any assistance or if you have any questions, I can be reached at (925) 207-6731 or email at tcamacho78@comcast.net.

Thomas J. Camacho
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